As we step into the warm embrace of July, many of us might think it's too late to start planting. But let me tell you a little secret: July is actually a fantastic time to get your hands dirty and sow some seeds or transplant some seedlings. Sure, the air is thick enough to cut…  READ MORE 

July in USDA zone 7-8 is when the mercury climbs higher than a cat on a hot tin roof, and the humidity makes you feel like you're wearing a wet wool sweater. But don't let that deter you, intrepid gardeners! While your northern friends might be winding down their planting season, you're just hitting your…  READ MORE 

Should you really be planting things when you can cook an egg on your patio? The answer is yes! Fear not, my sun-loving friend! While your northern neighbors are harvesting their summer bounty, you're just getting warmed up (pun absolutely intended). July in these zones is not for the faint of heart. You're talking temperatures…  READ MORE 

Just like in life, having good friends can make all the difference in the garden. When it comes to growing fruits and vegetables, some plants simply bring out the best in each other – they're like peas in a pod, if you will. This is where companion planting comes in, a technique that involves strategically…  READ MORE 

In this humorous and heartwarming story, author Tammy Hanline shares the cherished memories and quirky traditions she's gained from her family's gardening adventures. With wit and nostalgia, she recounts the unique ritual of the Cow Patty Hunt, passed down through generations, from her granddad's enthusiastic quests to her own adventures with her niece. Along the…  READ MORE 

A few years ago, I noticed that my fruit and vegetable garden wasn't quite thriving as I had hoped. Unpollinated cucumber blossoms here, wimpy squash blossoms there...the plants seemed to lack the enthusiasm I hoped for when I planted them. As I walked through the garden one morning, it struck me that the absence of…  READ MORE 

Hey there, my fellow garlic enthusiasts! If you're anything like me, you're obsessed with this little bulb of deliciousness. I mean, is there ever a time when you don't have garlic in your kitchen? And let's be real, your grater is probably your most-used utensil, am I right? Well, I've got some exciting news for…  READ MORE 

Many years ago, when we first bought our current home, I decided to take the plunge and plant some blueberry bushes in my backyard. My main motivation was simply a love for blueberries and a desire to grow my own. Despite my lack of knowledge about growing blueberries, I embarked on this journey, figuring that…  READ MORE 

I don't know who gets as excited about chives as I do, but I'd like to meet them. I think my fondness for chives stems from afternoons with my cousins in my grandmother's backyard. She had heaps of chive plants; we'd gnaw on them and the…  READ MORE 

As gardeners, we take pride in the fresh, nutritious produce we grow; home-grown spinach is no exception. This leafy green is not only easy to grow but also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. But do you want to know a fun(ish) fact? Contrary to popular belief, spinach is not exceptionally high in iron. The misconception…  READ MORE 

The joy of not being a huge cucumber-lover is that I can try out new varietals every year to see which ones I might like more than others. As someone who hasn't always been the biggest fan of cucumbers, I find it exciting to explore the diverse…  READ MORE 

Beans, beans, they're good for your heart! But what if those beans don't want to put in much effort? A pod here, a pod there, and a wimpy-looking Pole Bean Teepee? No thanks!  One of my favorite plants to grow has always been climbing beans. There's…  READ MORE 

Hey there, my fellow garlic enthusiasts! If you're anything like me, you're obsessed with this little bulb of deliciousness. I mean, is there ever a time when you don't have garlic in your kitchen? And let's be real, your grater is probably your most-used utensil, am I right? Well, I've got some exciting news for…  READ MORE 

So you thought you’d just roll out of bed in July and start a garden, did you? Watch a little HGTV this weekend and decide to plant yourself a little victory garden? Considering that most veggies take 4-8 weeks to create a bounty, and the hot July sun isn’t an ideal base, you may have missed out on some opportunities for peak tomato season. But, all hope isn’t lost, because there are veggies to plant in July still, just don’t hit the snooze button again.  READ MORE 

Where would wine be without cheese, or peanut butter without jelly? Simon without Garfunkel? And let's not forget our special guests today, the "Three Sisters" otherwise known as corn, beans, and squash. Native Americans have long understood that some plants work better together, and the Three Sisters' planting method is based on centuries of Native…  READ MORE 

There was no small push by our team to delve into the wild world of "garden-to-glass" cocktails. Can you blame them? After all, fennel-infused cocktails are all the rage now, so you can always make fennel simple syrup. For those who love ginger, a ginger simple syrup sounds great too! For these recipes, I went…  READ MORE 

A good old-fashioned spray with the hose is my favorite way to rid my veggie garden of leaf-eating pests, especially the Japanese beetles who love to munch on my basil. But you know as well as I do that waterboarding insects only goes so far, because whatever bugs are chowing down, will eventually come back.  READ MORE 

Forget everything you know about gardening. Hold up. Maybe that's a bad idea. But if you've always had an in-ground garden and you're planting in raised beds this year, there are some differences you may want to know about. I recently turned my very low-maintenance in-ground garden into a fully raised-bed garden. Mostly for the vanity of it (let's be honest, they're just prettier) but also I'm getting old and my back hurts...get off my lawn.  READ MORE